Reliance group forays into agriculture insurance business

New Delhi: Private sector insurer Reliance General has forayed into agriculture insurance business, with products giving financial protection from vagaries of weather to crops sown by farmers across the country.

The products include weather as w ell as yield-based insurance schemes and follows the mandate given in this regard by the central government and its agencies to the general insurance unit of Reliance Capital, the financial services arm of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group.

"It is our first step in the domestic agriculture insurance sector with weather and yield-based crop insurance products, which are aimed at providing protection to farmers from the problems arising due to the vagaries of weather," Reliance General Insurance CEO Rakesh Jain said.

"We are confident that agriculture insurance will bring a sigh of relief to farmers who are constantly worried about the changing climatic conditions and their consequent impact on crops," he said.

Reliance General has been empanelled by the Government of India to implement weather-based crop insurance (WBCI) scheme in 21 states. Of these, the company has launched agriculture insurance schemes in five states, after getting approval from the respective state governments.

After being empanelled by the central government, the agriculture insurance provider needs to approach the respective states for launch of its products and services.

Besides, Reliance General has also received mandate under the central government's National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) to offer yield-based crop protection to farmers in 50 identified districts across the country.

"The total annual business premium under Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme, Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme and its predecessor National AgriculturalInsurance Scheme is about Rs 5,000 crore. We are aiming a significant share of the domestic agriculture insurance premium in the next couple of years," Jain said.

The company will provide cover against weather-related risks, which could be excessive rainfall or a shortage in rains, fluctuations in humidity and variations in temperature.

For Kharif crops, rainfall parameter will be covered, while in Rabi season crops, temperature, humidity, rainfall and combination of all three parameters will be covered.

The central government's Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) covers farmers from yield-based risks as well many other risks during the life of a crop.

Both state and central governments subsidize the premiums paid by farmers, while claims are borne by the insurer. The yield-based insurance covers pre-sowing, post-harvest and losses due to natural calamities, pests and diseases.